Warning signal device



March 29, 1960 F. s. NELSON WARNING SIGNAL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1956 INVENTOR.

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March 29, 1960 F. s. NELSON WARNING SIGNAL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1956 .Fawazs grab/E MLsou,

INVEN TOR.

4rrokzgy United States Patent WARNING SIGNAL DEVICE Francis Stone Nelson, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Nelson-Price, Inc., a corporation of California Application February 6,- 1956, Serial No. 563,515

8 Claims. (Cl. 340-366) This invention relates to electromagnetic circuit interrupters and, more particularly, to electromagnetic circuit interrupters of the type which are generally utilized in warning signal devices which have a gaseous lamp incorporated therein which is intermittently energized by the electromagnetic circuit interrupter to emit a visual warning signal. Moreover, my invention relates particularly to such warning signal devices as are customarily incorporated in a relatively small housing and adapted for use and application in conjunction with barriers and other obstacles customarily placed adjacent excavations and the like by contractors to provide a warning to vehicular and pedestrian traffic of the presence of the obstacle or barrier and the existence of a dangerous condition.

While the principles of my invention are disclosed as being embodied in a particular warning signal device it is, of course, not intended that the principles thereof be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed since it is,

of course, conceivable that certain of the inventive aspects of my invention may be applied with equal cogency to other devices whose operation entails the utilization of an electromagnetic circuit interrupter of the character of that disclosed hereinbelow.

Warning signal devices which incorporate an electromagnetic circuit interrupter enclosed in a housing with the battery for energizing the same usually mount a gas eous tube or lamp, such as a neon lamp, on a portion of the housing which is secured to a barrier or other support. In conventional warning devices of the character under consideration, it is customary to place the energizing battery in contiguity to the components of the electromagnetic circuit interrupter and it frequently happens that, as the battery deteriorates, battery acids and the like will exude from the case thereof to flow over the components of the adjacent electromagnetic circuit interrupter and to cause the malfunctioning thereof and permanent damage to the same.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a warning signal device which includes a housing and a gaseous lamp mounted upon the exterior of said housing wherein the electromagnetic circuit interrupter for said lamp is mounted upon a mounting plate or partition in the upper part of the housing, the energizing battery therefor being located in the lower part of the housing and completely isolated from contact with the electromagnetic circuit interrupter. In this manner, a leaking battery is prevented from contaminating and damaging the associated electromagnetic circuit interrupter.

Since warning signal devices of the character under consideration here are utilized on construction jobs wherein they are exposed to rough handling and abuse, and since such warning signal devices are transported under adverse conditions, the component parts thereof are frequently damaged by shock and vibratory loads imposed thereupon during installation and transportation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a warning signal device of the aforementioned character wherein all of the operative components thereof which constitute the electromagnetic circuit interrupter are mounted upon the aforementioned partition plate and said plate itself is mounted in the upper part of the housing of the warning signal device, but isolated therefrom by resilient shock-absorbing means adapted to reduce the transmission of vibratory and shock loads from the housing of the device to the partition plate and thus to the component parts of the electromagnetic circuit interrupter mounted thereupon.

Warning signal devices of the character under consideration here are, of course, exposed to all conceivable variations of weather and climate and the ingress of contaminants and moisture into the interior of the housing of conventional warning signal devices frequently prevents the effective operation thereof after prolonged exposure to such conditions.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a warning signal device of the aforementioned character wherein the electromagnetic circuit interrupter is mounted in the top of the housing of the device and wherein the partition plate is provided with a peripheral sealing member adapted to isolate the electromagnetic circuit interrupter components from contamination by dirt and moisture.

A further object of my invention is the provision, in a device of the aforementioned character, of an automatic ground interlock which immediately grounds the partition plate when it is assembled in operative relationshi with the top of the housing. Another-object of my invention is the provision, in a device of the aforementioned character, of a swivel head construction which mounts the gaseous lamp and which permits the rotation of the housing for said lamp with respect to the housing of the device.

Another object of my invention is the provision of easily demounted, armature-electromagnet and contactbalance wheel subassemblies which can be replaced and removed from operative relationship with the partition plate when necessary.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a staff bearing construction for the staff on the contactbalance wheel assembly which prevents the flow of cur.- rent through the staff bearing and thus eliminates arcing which causes the rapid deterioration of such bearings in prior art devices.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a warning signal device constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention supported on a barrier;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, partly sectional view of the warning signal device;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the broken lines 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the partition plate which mounts the electromagnetic circuit interrupter in.- corporated in the warning signal device;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the broken line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the broken line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view;

Fig; 8 is an alternative construction of the lamp hous ing utilized with the warning signal device; and

Fig. 9 is a circuit diagram of the electromagnetic circuit interrupter.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1-3

and lamp housing 18 is secured to the upper surface of the upper part 14 of the housing 12, in a manner to be described in greater detail below.

,The warning signal device 10 is adapted to be disposed upona barrier 20, or as'imilar support, to serve as a warning to pedest rianand vehicular traffic of dangerous road or highway conditions adjacent said barrier.

Formed on the interior of the upper part 14 of the housing 12 and depending from the top wall thereof are three, vertically oriented supporting legs 22, shown in Fig.2 of the drawings and whose relationshipwith the partition plate 24 is graphically illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The partition plate 24 is substantially rectangular in configuration and formed from sheet metal. Three triangularly arranged openings 26 are formed therein and are registerable with tapped openings, not

shown, in the lower" extremities of the legs 22. Mounted in each of the openings 26 in the partition plate 24, as best shown in Fig. of the drawings, is a resilient rubber grommet 28 which serve as seals and as shockabsorbing, vibration isolating means for mounting the partition'plate 24.

'Bolts'30 are inserted through the openings or bores in the grommets 28 and 'threadedly engage the'tapped openin'g'sin the lower extremities of the legs 22 tomaintain the partition plate 24 in operative relationship with the upper part 14 of the housing 12. Therefore, the legs 22 serve as a triangularly related three-point suspension for the partition plate 24 and the grommets 28 serve as shock-absorbing means whereby the partition plate 24 may be partially isolated from shock and vibratory loads imposed upon the housing 12 of the warning device 10. Associated with the partition plate 24 and o'ne of the openings 26 therein, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, is an automatic ground interlock 32 constituted by a conductor spring clip 34, said spring clip being engageable with the shank and head of the bolt as it is fitted through the bore of the grommet 28 and threadedly engaged in its associated leg 22, thus immediately creating aground circuit between the partition plate 24 and the housing 12 with which theleg 22 creates a ground circuit.

A continuous, resilient seal 36 is mounted upon the peripheral edge of the partition plate. 24 and engages the contiguous areas of the interior of the upper part 14 of the housing 12 when the partition plate is mounted on the leg 22, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thus, the seal 36, in conjunction with the resilient grommets 28, constitutes a vibratory and shock-absorbing means but, in addition, isolates theupper partof the housing 12 from the entry of air, dust, and moisture which might contaminate the electromagnetic circuit interrupter 40 which-is disposed on the upper surface of the partition plate 24. a

The upper part 14 of the housing 12 is secured to the lower part 16 thereof by means of bolts or screws 42 and the energizing battery is disposable in the interior of the lower part 16 of the housing 12. Thus, the partition plate 24 serves to isolate the battery from the electromagnetic circuit interrupter 40 and obviates the possibility that contamination thereof may occur should battery leakage take place. It will also be noted that the mating flanges of the upper and lower parts 14 and 16 of the housing 12 are disposed substantially below the plane of the partition plate 24 and any moisture which may penetrate the gasket 44 located between said flanges will flow downwardly into the lower part 16 of the housing 12. Therefore, the electromagnetic circuit interrupter 40 is isolated, both physically and mechanically, from the remainder of the interior of the housing to prevent the contamination thereof from occurring when the housing 12 is exposed. to variations of temperature, weather, and to shock and vibratory loads.

A socket 46 is provided on the side of the lower part 16 of the housing 12 to facilitate the mounting of the warning device 10 on an appropriate support.

The electromagnetic circuit interrupter 40 includes a step-up transformer 50 constituted of abutting E and I shaped laminations 52 and 54 upon which primary and secondary windings 56 and 58 are wound. The I- and E-shaped lamination are lacquered in accordance with conventional practice and a magnetic gap 60 is created at the juncture between the adjacent leg of the E-shaped lamination 52 and the I-shaped lamination 54 to create a magnetic field adjacent said gap when said transformer is energized.

The transformer extends through an opening in the partition plate 24 and is covered by a sheet metal housing 62, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which is fastened in operative relationship with the partition plate 24 by means of bolts and nuts 64 which secure the transformer in operative relationship with said plate.

An elongated spring arm 66 is mounted on the side of the transformer 50 by means of sheet metal bracket 68 which is, in turn, fastened to said transformer by screws 70. Riveted, or otherwise fastened, to the spring arm 66 is an armature 72, said armature having a contact 74 mounted on its outer extremity. An adjustment screw 76 is mounted in the bracket 68 to'determine the extent to which the spring arm 66 will fiex away from the magnetic gap 60 in the transformer 50. It is, therefore, readily apparent that the transformer and armature 72 constitute a complete subassembly which can be installed upon the partition plate 24 and readily demounted therefrom, should the need for replacement thereof arise.

Mounted on the partition plate 24 adjacent the armature transformer subassembly is a balance wheel subassembly 89 which is constituted by a pair of mounting brackets 82 and 84 secured together by a bolt 86 at adjacent ends and having their opposite ends defining a yoke 88.. Because of the aflixation of the brackets 82 and 84 in operative relationship by means of the bolt 86, the balance wheel subassernbly can be installed upon or removed from operative relationship with the partition plate 24 very easily. When installed upon the partition plate 24, the subassembly is retained in operative re lationship therewith by means of the bolt 86 and an associated bolt '90, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawmgs.

A fixed staff bearing 92 is mounted in the lower bracket 84 of the balance wheel subassernbly 8t) and an adjustable statf'bearing 94 is, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, mounted in the upper bracket 82. Therefore, the adjustable bearing 94 can be adjusted with reference to the staff 96 of the balance wheel 98 in order that an optimum adjustment may be obtained. A lock nut 102 is mounted on the upper extremity of the adjustable bearing 94 in order that the bearing 94, after being adjusted, may be maintained in the desired con dition of adjustment.

interposed between the upper surface of the bracket 82and the lock out 102 are first and second electrical coupling members 104 and 106 which are disposed in conducting relationship, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and which are isolated from contact, either physically or electrically, with the adjustable bearing 94 by means of insulating grommets 108 surrounding said bearing.

Theupper of the two electrical coupling members 104 is connected by a lead 109 to the low side of the transformer. 50 and the .lower. coupling member 106 is electrically connected to the balance wheel spring 1 10 which is, in-turn, electrically connected to the balance wheel staff 96 to cause current to flow through said staff to a contact 112 mounted on said balance wheel and engageab-l'e with'the contact 74 on the armature 72, in

mannerto be described in greater detail below.

The insulation of the adjustable bearing 94 from the conductive couplings 104 and 106 prevents the flow of current from the balance wheel staif 96 into the adjustable bearing 94 and eliminates the arcing between the staff 96 and the bearing 94 which occurs in conventional constructions, thus materially prolonging the life of the bearing and reducing the need for the replacement thereof.

The lower electrical coupling member 106 is adjustable with respect to the bearing 94 and can be rotated, when the lock nut 102 is loosened, to adjust the spring 110 to a desired tension to insure the proper spring loading of the balance wheel 98 and thus proper engagement of the contact 112 thereupon with the contact 74 on the armature 72.

A spring-type mounting bracket 116 is secured to the partition plate 24 and supports a mercury switch 118, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. One battery lead 120 is connected to the mercury switch 118 and another lead 122 extends from the mercury switch to the step-up transformer 50. The angular orientation of the mercury switch 118 causes the mercury 124 in said switch to encompass the contacts 126 thereof when the warning signal device is disposed in an erect position and in any angular position except when the housing 12 of the warning signal device 10 is resting on the side thereof adjacent the mercury switch 118. If desired, a manually actuated switch can be substituted for the mercury switch 118 and mounted upon the exterior of the housing 12 for energization therefrom. However, the provision of the mercury switch renders the warning signal device 10 substantially tamper-proof and prevents the possibility of a tamperers de-energizing the warning signal device while the device is located in an operat-ive position.

The lamp housing 18 is, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, substantially circular in configuration and includes a body 128 in which is mounted a lens 130. The lamp housing 18 is rotatable on the upper part 14 of the housing 12 of the warning signal device 10 by means of a swivel connection, indicated generally at 132 in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The swivel connection 132 includes a vertically oriented stud 134 whose square base 136 is pressed into an opening 138 in the top of the housing 12.

A fiber washer 140 encompasses the stud and is interposed between the base of the lamp housing 18 and the top of the housing 12. A base plate 142 is located in the bottom of the housing 18 and is surmounted by spacer washers 144 which encompass the shank of the stud 134. A pair of nuts 146 engages the threaded periphery of the stud 134 to maintain the lamp housing 18 in operative relationship with said stud and the housing 12 of the warning signal device 10.

The high lead 148 from the transformer 50 extends through a bore 150 in the stud 134 and insulating collars 152 isolate said lead from engagement with the interior of said bore. The upper extremity of the stud 134 is surmounted by a ceramic insulating cap 154 which is reterior of the housing 12. The glow lamp 162 is ground- 7 ed to the housing 12 by a lead 166. Auxiliary coils 168 tapped into the lead 160 may be wound about the legs of the glow lamp 162 to provide a boost circuit for the glow lamp. The provision of the swivel joint 132 between the housing 12 and the lamp housing 18 prevents the rotation of the housing 18 from causing the twisting of the'lead 148 with consequent deterioration thereof. Moreover, the high voltage line which is, of course, subject to leakage, is completely isolated in its passage from the interior of the housing 12 to the interior of the housing 18 from contamination by moisture or contact with adjacent surfaces which might possibly cause a short therein.

The utilization of the auxiliary coils 168 about the legs of the neon glow lamp 162 provides a booster circuit which would cause the lamp to fire under conditions where the ordinary circuitry might not be able to energize the lamp, particularly when the lamp is deteriorating or the energizing battery has begun to weaken.

A circuit diagram for the magnetic circuit interrupter constituted by the transformer-armature subassembly and the balance wheel subassembly is shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The battery 174 is connected to the spring arm 66 by a lead 172, the other lead from the battery being connected to the mercury switch 118. The lead 122 connects the mercury switch 118 to the transformer 50. The glow lamp 162 isconnected to the secondary 58 of the transformer 50 by the leads 148 and 160, while the balance wheel spring 110 is connected to the primary 56 of the transformer 50 by the lead109. A condenser is connected across the electrical cone tacts 74 and 112 for the usual purpose.

When the electromagnetic circuit interrupter is deenergized by de-energization of the mercury switch 118 or a manually energized substitute therefor, the contact 112 is maintained in operative relationship with the contact 74 by means of the balance wheel spring 110. Clos ing of the mercury switch 118 will cause energization of the electromagnet constituted by the transformer 50 and the armature 72 is sharply attracted to the adjacent surface of the transformer by the magnetic field created adjacent the gap 60 in said transformer.

Deflection of the spring arm 66 adjacent its mounting on the bracket 68 permits rapid movement of the armature 72 in this manner, causing the contact 112 to be urged away from contact with the contact 74 on the armature and rotation of the balance wheel 98 in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow 176 in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The circuit is thus broken by the separation of the contacts 74 and 112 and the transformer 50 is de-energized to release the armature 72 which returns to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

The balance wheel 98 will rotate in the counterclockwise direction until the spring 110 returns the balance wheel to. the position in which the contact 112 will once again engage the contact 74 on the armature to once again energize the transformer 50 and draw the armature 72 toward said transformer. When the circuit is broken by the separation of the contacts 74 and 112, the rapid decay thereof causes the emission from the secondary winding 58 of a high voltage pulse which will energize the neon lamp 162.

During its operation in the above described manner, the electromagnetic circuit interrupter isisolated from the deleterious effects of contaminated air and moisture which may possibly infiltrate into the interior of the housing 12 by the sealing means referred to hereinabove and associated with the partition plate 24. Moreover, short circuiting of the high voltage lead 158 to the neon lamp 162 is eliminated by the provision of a swivel connection which prevents twisting and the consequent wear upon the lead 158 and which also isolates the lead 158 from adjacent conductive surfaces against which it might short circuit.

An alternative, tamper-proof lamp mounting 180-is shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings wherein the glow-lamp 162 is incorporated within a 360 lens 182. The lens 182' is supported upon a base 184 which includes a bottom plate 186 to which is fastened a bezel 188, the bezel 188 being fastened to the bottom plate 186 by concealed agains screwslQO, which cannot be removed when the mounting 180' is in operative relationship with the housing 12 of the arning device. The. bottom plate 186 is operatively connected to the housing 12 by means of the stud 134 which is disposed in inverted position with its base 136 located in Corresponding opening in the bottom plate 184 and its shank depending through the opening 138 in thehousing 12 where it is engaged by a plurality of nuts 194.

' Therefore, until the housing 12 is opened and the. nuts 1.9.4 I removed from operative relationship with the threaded shank of the stud 134, the mounting 180 and the lens 182 supported in the same cannot be separated from the housing 12.

Ic'laim as my invention:

1'. In an intermittently operable signaling device, the combination of: a housing having an upper part constituted by a cover bearing a warning light externally thereof; and a lower part constituted by a rectangular reqeptaae removably secured to said cover for receiving a battery. tofenergize said warning light mounting means on uper part; amounting plate secured to said mountingmeans within said upper part; shock absorbing means secured in said plate inwardly of the edges thereof and interposed between said mounting means and said plate; and an electromagnetic circuit interrupter connected to said warning light mounted on said plate in said upper part of said housing.

2 In an intermittently operable signaling device, the combination, of: a housing having an. upper part constituted by a cover bearing a warning light externally there of and a lower part constituted by a rectangular receptacle rjeniovably secured to said cover for receiving a battery toenergize said warning light mounting means on said upper part; 'a mounting plate secured to said mounting means within said upper part; shock absorbing means secured in said plate inwardly of the edges thereof and interposed between said mounting means and said plate;

anisolation seal secured between the periphery ofsaid p ne and the interior. of said housing; and an electromagneticcircuit interrupter connected to said warning light mounted on said plate in said upper part of said ou ing.-

3. In" anintermittently operable signaling device, the combination of: a housing having an upper part constituted bya cover bearinga warning light externally thereof and a lower part constituted by a rectangular receptacle removably secured to said cover for receiving a battery to energize said warning light mounting means on said upper fpart; a mounting plate secured to said mounting means withinsaid upper part; grounding meansconnected to plate and automatically, energizable when said plate is secured to.said mounting means to ground said plate through said housing; shock absorbing means inter posed between said mounting means and said plate; and an electromagnetic circuit interrupter connected to said warning light mounted on said plate in said upper part of said housing.

4. Ina signaling device, the combination of: a housing having an upper part, constituted by a cover bearing aiwarning light externally thereof and a lower part constituted by a rectangular receptacle removably secured to' said cover for receiving a battery to energize said warning light; mounting means formed on the interior of said upper part;a horizontally oriented mounting plate extending completelygacross said upper part and secured to said mounting means withinsaid upper part; shock absorbing means secured in said plate inwardly of the edges thereof and interposed between said plate and said mounting m eans; a peripheral seal interposed between the edge of said plate and the interior of said upper part; and an electromagnetic circuit interrupter connected to said warning light mounted on said plate in said upper part of said housing. I

lectrical signaling device, the combination of:

a housing having a warning light thereupon and mounted externally thereof; a horizontally oriented partition dividing said housing into a first chamber and a second chamber; shock absorbing means. secured in said partition inwardly of the edges thereof and connecting said partition to said housing; and an electromagnetic circuit interrupter connected to said warning light and mounted in said first chamber on said partition.

6. In an electrical signaling device, the combination of: a housing having an intermittently operable warning light thereupon and mounted externally thereof; a horizontally oriented partition dividing said housing into a first chamber and a second chamber; shock absorbing means secured in said partition inwardly of the edges thereof and connecting said partition to said housing; a seal interposed between the peripheral edge of said partition and the interior of said housing to isolate the first chamber from the second chamber in said housing; and an electromagnetic circuit interrupter connected. to said warning light and mounted in said first chamber on said partition.

' 7. In a. signaling device, the combination of: a housing having an upper part constituted by a cover supporting a warning light externally thereof and said upper part having a plurality of vertically oriented supporting legs formed upon the interior of said cover, said housing in} cluding a lower part constituted by a rectangular receptacle removably secured to said cover for receiving a battery; a mounting plate located in said upper part having a plurality of shock absorbing means secured therein inwardly of the edges thereof for the reception of fasteners adapted to mount said plate on said leg and an electromagnetic circuit interrupter connected to said warning light and mounted on said plate in said upper part of said housing.

8. In a signaling device, the combination of: a housing incorporating an upper rectangular cover portion hava. substantially flat top wall supporting a warning light externally thereof and said top wall having a plurality of vertically oriented supporting legs provided upon the interior surface of said coverand terminating above the lower edgeof said cover, said housing including a lower rectangular receptacle portion removably secured to the lower extremity of said upper portion and defining a battery receiving chamber; a rectangular mounting plate conforming substantially to the configuration of the interior of said upper portion and having a plurality of shocl; absorbing means secured thereto inwardly of the edgesthereof, said shock absorbing means being main tained in operative engagement with the lower extremities of said legs by fasteners connected thereto; a peripheral gasket secured around the entire perimeter of said plate and isolating the interior of said upper portion of said housing above said plate from fluid communication with the lower portion of said housing; and an electromagnetic circuit interrupter connected to said warning light mounted on said plate in said upper portion of said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,210,966 Miller Jan. 2, 1917 1,592,455 Freeman July 13, 1926 2,025,235 Gonsett Dec. 24, 1935 2,272,855 Sullivan Feb. 10, 1942 2,303,086 Muldoon Nov. 24, 1942 2,366,929 Pfeil Jan. 9, 1945' 2,478,908 Edgerton Aug. 16, 1949 2,538,854 Wyatt -2 Jan. 23, 1951 2,540,341 McNail Feb. 6, 1951 2,612,548 Swanson Sept. 30, 1952 2,625,598 Broussard et al. Jan. 13, 1953 2,702,889 Bareford Feb. 22, 1955 2,709,244 Dixon May 24, 1955' 

